Sheffield United can benefit from Championship no-man's land in hunt for promotion

With five games remaining in the Championship, promotion remains a possibility for Sheffield United. The Blades have fought admirably under manager Paul Heckingbottom, who has kept his side in contention for the business end of the season.

Their place in the play-offs has not yet been secured and a tense run-in awaits, although supporters can take heart from a key factor the club could benefit from in the final month of the campaign. Reading will be hosted at Bramall Lane on Friday before the trip to Bristol City is made for next Monday. Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers and Fulham will then provide opposition for the final three games of the season.

There is still plenty to play for in the Championship but at this stage of the season, some fates are sealed and for the remaining five games, it is likely that media coverage will focus on Heckingbottom's men. Reading could arguably be ruled as an exception as relegation is still technically on the cards, although they have built an eight-point lead over 22nd-placed Barnsley.

Easter Monday's opponents, Bristol City have a healthy 16-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone, meanwhile Cardiff are safe from the bottom three but nowhere near the promotion picture. QPR are outside contenders for the play-offs but by the time the Blades make the trip to face them on 30 April, their hopes of the top six could potentially be quashed. On the final day of the season, Sheffield United will host a Fulham side likely to have already have a place in the Premier League secured.

The fact that Sheffield United's opponents may not have much, or anything, to play for does not mean they will roll over but could provide them with a significant advantage over some of the rivals in